Stray dog is transformed into TV star and rehomed

A Hackney hound is starring in a new ITV show about Battersea Dogs and Cats Home, hosted by Paul O’Grady.

The eight year old staffy called Marcel was found as a stray in Hackney in November 2011 and taken to be looked after in Battersea.

His antics and charm pushed him to the forefront for ITV’s Paul O’ Grady: For The Love Of Dogs documentary where Marcel accompanies the presenter to meet army veterans in the Royal Chelsea Hospital.

After 130 days at the shelter, Marcel is being taken home by John Rooke and his wife. He said: “We love Staffies and the oldies are the best. Marcel’s a super chap and it was touching to see how loved he was by everyone at Battersea.

“There was such a turn out to send him off, with lots of tears and smiles, which were all captured on camera.

“We can’t wait to watch Marcel’s story on the TV and I’m sure it’ll make him even more of a star in our local area.”

The seven part series goes out every Monday at 8pm on ITV.